Centrifuge device for thermometers



July 15, 1947. 1.. J. HILLENBRAND 2,424,166

CENTRIFUGE DEVICE FOR THERMOMETERS Filed Sept. 27, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l -Z0z; 2's K172111212 Zrani July 15, 1947. 1.. J. HILLEN BRAND I CENTRIFUGE DEVICE FOR THERMOMETERS Filed Sept. 27, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 grime/mm Patented July 15, 1947 UNITED "STATES OFFICE QENTRIEUGEDEVICE FQRTHEEMOMETEBS Louis Hillenbrand,Allentowm Pa. Application September 27, 1Q i5,;.S er iaL;No. i18 810 3 Claims. (cits-s73) 1 V This invention relates to thermometers and it is primarily object of the invention to provide means whereby, in the production of the thermometer, the mercury is effectively controlled under centriiugalaction.

It is also an object-of the invention-to proclosedin the accompanying drawings, B-fdenotes vide a means whereby a thermometer may be rotated about an axis intermediate its ends so that upon revolution about such axis, the force of gravity will shake all the mercury in the column to one side of said axis into the top chamber of the thermometer and the mercury at the opposite side of the axis will be diverted into the bulb of the thermometer and vice versa in accordance with the placement of the thermometer.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to whirl a thermometer in a centrifugal action and in a manner not to force any mercury contained in the top chamber or bulb into the column.

The invention also has for an object to provide means for controlling the mercury of a thermometer including a body adapted to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis and which body is provided with means to support the thermometer to allow said thermometer to protrude beyond opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the body so that the force of gravity from the axis will throw the mercury outward, thereby prohibiting any mercury coming downward yet permitting the mercury in the column to respond to the pressure created by the rotation of the head.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved thermometer whereby certain important advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a twirling device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device as herein comprised;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, thermometers being shown applied thereto; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure I.

In the embodiment of the invention. as disan. elongated.bo'dyiorhead of desired dimensions and which is herein disclosed as rectangular in form. ."0ne end of thisbody or head QB is provideli, at fl,.with'.a.socket, whereby thebody or head maybe securelyiheld upon the upper..extremity of 'avertical shaft2, such as comprised in a Babcock tester, although, of course, this shaft 2 may be mounted and rotated in any manner preferred,

The body or head B, in the present embodiment of the invention, in its upper and lower portions, is provided therethrough with the longitudinally spaced openings 3 having their centers at the axial center of the body or head B. These openings 3 are disposed on predetermined downward angles and snugly fitting within said openings 3 are the inner portions of the elongated cups 4 disposed in opposite directions and on the same predetermined downward angle.

The outer ends 5 of the cups 4 are closed while the opposite or inner ends 6 are open and said open end of each of the cups 4 is substantially flush with the adjacent face of the body or head B. The end of the body or head B provided with the socket l constitutes the lower end of the device which, when in position for operation, has its axis vertically disposed.

Each of the cups 4 is of a length substantially equal to the length of the thermometer being processed so that, when such a thermometer T is placed within a cup 4, either the usual top head or chamber 1 or the bulb 8 will be projected beyond the axial center of the body or head B remote from the closed end 5 of the cup 4 into which the thermometer T is placed.

The device, as herein disclosed, is used in the processing of thermometers or the like and can also be used with equal facility to aid in the testing of clinical thermometers for shakers before they are finished. It is to be stated, however, that the device as herein embodied can be employed with equal facility in the processing of all kinds of thermometers or kindred items.

With a thermometer T within a cup 4, the body or head B will be caused to rotate about its axis at a required speed and has either the top chamber 1 or bulb 8 extending out through the open end of the cup and, of course, the major portion of the thermometer '1 within the cup, the column of mercury in the stem of the thermometer T will be shaken down but no mercury will come down from the protruding top chamber l or bulb 8 because the force of gravity at that point is in the opposite direction. In other words, the

use of the device as herein embodied permits full control of the column of mercury without any interference of mercury from the top. 7

It is believed to be readily understood that in 1 the processing of a thermometer the top chamber 1 receives all surplus mercury and that dampness and air are removed, resulting in a blank thermometer.

In practice, each of the cups 4 is to be filled to its capacity with thermometers and, as is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, each of the cups 4 comprises substantially parallel straight side walls a and outwardly curved top walls b. 7

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a thermometer constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. A device for use in the processing of thermometers or the like comprising a body adapted to be rotated, and oppositelydirected cups carried by the body at points spaced lengthwise of its axis of rotation and extending laterally therefrom, each of said cups havingan open end por- 4 tion disposed through the body, each of said cups being adapted to receive a thermometer or the like to be processed.

2. A device for use in the processing of thermometers or the like comprising a body adapted to be rotated, and oppositely'directed cups carried by thebody at points spaced lengthwise of its axis of rotation and extending laterally therefrom, each of said cups having an open end portion disposed through the body, each of said cups being adapted to receive a thermometer or the like to be processed, said cups being disposed on an outward and downward incline.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the cups is of a depth less than the length of the thermometerplaced therein.

LOUIS J. HILLENBRAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,269,859 Owen Jan. 13, 1942 365,120 De Laval June 21, 1887 

